Fly Z Driver Problem

[Shrinkwr4p]

Firstly, I do not have access to Trackman etc.

 

I am 64 and play 4 days a week. My current handicap is 9.7. I hit the ball straight and can keep it in play on a tight, gorse infested and windy links course. I doubt that I lose more than one ball in a month. But, of course, I want to hit it further.

 

For the past 10 years I have played with a little draw. 3 years ago I bought a K15 driver. That thing is like a machine pumping water. It never goes right and it doesn't hook provided my aging body remembers to make a turn. But, I seem to get only what I carry with little roll out even on fairly firm fairways.

 

So, here's the rub, I bought a Fly Z with the stock regular Matrix VLCT SP shaft. It came on Tuesday and on Wednesday we went to the range. There was a fairly strong left to right wind and over 30 or 40 balls I hit 2 or 3 big slices but the rest of the bucket seemed under control. The carry was as good as I might expect but it did seem to run out for 20 or 25 yards.

 

I was excited enough to put it in the bag yesterday for a visit to Rosemount GC in Blairgowrie (which must be one of the top 5 inland tracks in Scotland). It was a disaster! I spent the day hunting down the right and lost 2 balls.

 

Today, I reverted to the K15. Played in a two club wind and missed only one fairway Not a fade in sight let alone a slice.

 

So here is my dillema. I want to like the Cobra- (I play, love and consistently draw amp cell fairway woods) - and I'm sure it would give me a few yards if i could straighten it out.

 

Might a change of shaft help me get it under control - perhaps something heavier because it certainly feels to light?

 

Please don't tell me to get fitted because that's not easily acheived in these parts. Nor do I want to get get lessons. I just want to know if it's worth trying a change of shaft (at no huge cost) before I sell the thing.

[Peanut191]

Maybe you can try setting the loft a little higher. That should close the face a little to mitigate the slice. That might get it a little closer to your K15, as that is a draw biased driver.

[nattybohknows]

Might be a stupid question but have you tried to change the loft to the draw setting?

[Hunter991]

As the owner of a Fly z, i have found that I am always walking down the right side of the fairway when i use it same as you. I too wanted to like this driver, but for some reason its quite easy to hit a fade or slice compared to other offerings i play. Not sure why, but actually interesting to hear you are seeing the same.

 

i have mine set to the 11.5 d setting and it has been better, but i won't play it right now because it didn't seem to help other than just a little.

[SixSixGolf]

The stock shafts on the fly z drivers seem to play soft. Try to get fitted for a different shaft and see where that gets you.

[carn9698]

In your situation I would sell it and get a firmer shaft in a more draw biased driver.

 

Have a search on here for firm regular shaft types or weak stiff shaft types.

 

If you played with K15 then you will not want to give up forgiveness.

 

A draw biased forgiving head could be something like the G30 sf tec.

 

Identify a forgiving draw biased head with firm shaft and look out for it on EBay or Golfbidder.

 

Match your shaft length and preferred grip and I bet you can sneak those extra desired yards while being in the fairway.

 

Maybe go down a half degree in loft for more run out too. Good luck links man.

[Ri_Redneck]

I play cobra and can tell you that they tend to be overly light. I have had to re-weight every single one I have bought. Before adjusting the loft or anything else, I suggest you get some lead tape and start adding weight to the head till it feels right. If lead tape is not available, go with a shaft in the 75 gm range. See how the ball flies then and PLEASE post your results. The Fly-Z is a great driver, but it's obvious that the light weight is causing issues with your release.

 

BT

[golfgirlrobin]

I went from a slight draw with my Ping G20, to a fade with my Fly Z, but it runs out so much farther that I've been quite happy with it. I had to adjust to it, though, and I definitely aim differently.

 

Even in the draw setting, it definitely wants to fade.

[FairwayzNGreenz]

i would think it would benefit you with a heavier more stable shaft the stock matrix ones especially in the regular were very weak with a lot of torque .

[GroverC]

I went from a Ping G25 to the Fly Z with the stock Matrix shaft in stiff. Where I wasn't real consistent with the G25 now I am consistent with the Fly Z and probably 15 yards longer. I will either hit it straight or get a little fade tail at the end. I have G30 fairway and hybrid and G20 irons and all of those have a slight draw for me. I'm just having to get used to the slight fade and aim a little differently. I am enjoying not getting the wild misses I would get a little too frequently with the G25. I have mine set at 10.5 draw and I get about a medium flight.

[Dasenergi]

I agree the vlct plays soft and spins too much. The K15 is very draw based if I remember correctly. Check cobras site for some shaft options, the stock versions are priced decent and get something that fits better than the vlct. Also the Flyz is very adjustable so finding a better setting will also help.

[27x10.5]

I've always played a 9.5* driver, when I got the Fly-Z it's like I forgot to turn the thing on until I set it to 12*. It didn't do much for me until that. Also have a different shaft, Speeder Tour spec 6.3

[Shrinkwr4p]

I've been playing the Fly Z at 10.5 draw. I'll play alone on Monday and loft up to 11.5 draw. It might be interesting anyway to try to play myself into it on my home course without pressure or distractions.

 

Thanks,Hunter. It's helpful to know I'm not alone in experiencing this issue.

 

I matched the K15 against the G30 sf tec on a launch monitor last season. To my surprise the K15 won. Frankly if it would only run out a few more yards it would be perfect.

 

But the Fly Z does seem teasingly long if more than a bit right and wild. And it's not simply that I need a draw biased driver to keep it on the park. Periodically I play a Cobra Long Tom 2 wood which delivers serviceable little draws.

 

Redneck, your comments are welcome. I'll try some tape which may help me feel where the head is.

 

I'm interested in the idea of a heavier shaft but my experience through the years has been of accepting stock shafts. Any suggestions of reasonably priced heavier shafts in regular flex would be very welcome.

[Nixhex524]

I will second the comment about the VLCT shafts playing soft... I found the X suit me better when I normally play a stiff... I do not have a fade issue with the Fly Z but I did with the Fly Z+ so I stuck with the regular Fly Z head for the same reasons a lot of you did, it gets some awesome roll out after carry. I am playing it in the 9-10.5* settings to see what I like best and I just got my hands on a Aldila Tour Blue 65s for it, so I will see how it does in the Fly Z head. Been playing a Matrix White Tie Tour Proto V-1 which is an X and although it may be a tad on the stiff side for me, it makes the Fly Z feel very controllable. I think the Fly Z is a better version of the G30 head, it just looks, sounds, and feels better... for me. I would definitely NOT sell this club or give up on it just yet. Get a stiffer shaft, maybe in the 70g range and see if that helps at all... It is really a great performing head.

[Shrinkwr4p]

I will second the comment about the VLCT shafts playing soft... I found the X suit me better when I normally play a stiff... I do not have a fade issue with the Fly Z but I did with the Fly Z+ so I stuck with the regular Fly Z head for the same reasons a lot of you did, it gets some awesome roll out after carry. I am playing it in the 9-10.5* settings to see what I like best and I just got my hands on a Aldila Tour Blue 65s for it, so I will see how it does in the Fly Z head. Been playing a Matrix White Tie Tour Proto V-1 which is an X and although it may be a tad on the stiff side for me, it makes the Fly Z feel very controllable. I think the Fly Z is a better version of the G30 head, it just looks, sounds, and feels better... for me. I would definitely NOT sell this club or give up on it just yet. Get a stiffer shaft, maybe in the 70g range and see if that helps at all... It is really a great performing head.

 

Thanks for the comment. I think I'm going to try just that. I'm pretty convinced the head may offer me more length if I can find a way of keeping the ball in play with it.

[DGA3]

I had the very same problem with my Fly-Z (regular stock shaft). It was ok on smooth, easy swings, but whenever I tried to "get after it" for a few more yards, the darn thing went right.

 

It got so frustrating that I recently traded it in on a new Ping G (with a regular Tour shaft upgrade).

[scratch72]

I had the very same problem with my Fly-Z (regular stock shaft). It was ok on smooth, easy swings, but whenever I tried to "get after it" for a few more yards, the darn thing went right.

 

It got so frustrating that I recently traded it in on a new Pong G (with a regular Tour shaft upgrade).

how does the ping g compare to the fly z. Feel. Distance, sound etc.

[larssonlegend]

One course I've always wanted to play need to get it done soon.

[Shrinkwr4p]

One course I've always wanted to play need to get it done soon.

 

It's lovely as is the Landsdowne. Treat yourself!

[hoosiervolunteer]

I had to put mine on the draw setting as well.

[SirHackAlot]

son was fitted with Fly Z, 75gm tour blue X, works the ball either way, generally hits high deep bombs, great wind shots when ball needs to be flighted down

 

hasn't looked back to his r15 since

 

great club, even better shaft

[NYDave]

It's hit or miss without getting fitted,I tried 5 different shafts and eliminated 3 by the ball flight and #'s... The shaft I wound up with I would have never thought of trying on my own, my fitter let me take the demo shaft out for my weekend rounds, then put an adapter on a new shaft cut to 45" with the grip I play...

[Ri_Redneck]

Least expensive shafts to try would be the VS Proto 70 R and NV 75 R. Both can be had for around $50. Next step up in price would be older versions of the Red Board or Blue Board, Fuji 757, ATX Blue 75, etc. they run from $80 - $115.

 

BT

[Shrinkwr4p]

Least expensive shafts to try would be the VS Proto 70 R and NV 75 R. Both can be had for around $50. Next step up in price would be older versions of the Red Board or Blue Board, Fuji 757, ATX Blue 75, etc. they run from $80 - $115.

 

BT

 

Thank you for that. It's much appreciated. I'll have a look.

[smellysell]

I'm worried about the one I have with a stiff vlct now...

[Shrinkwr4p]

It's hit or miss without getting fitted,I tried 5 different shafts and eliminated 3 by the ball flight and #'s... The shaft I wound up with I would have never thought of trying on my own, my fitter let me take the demo shaft out for my weekend rounds, then put an adapter on a new shaft cut to 45" with the grip I play...

 

Getting a Cobra fitting is not really an option round here, unfortunately. I'm so keen on the head though that I,m prepared to play hit or miss with 2 or 3 cheaper shafts and hope to hit the jackpot. If I don't there's always my K15.

[neverhadaholeinone]

Firstly, I do not have access to Trackman etc.

 

I am 64 and play 4 days a week. My current handicap is 9.7. I hit the ball straight and can keep it in play on a tight, gorse infested and windy links course. I doubt that I lose more than one ball in a month. But, of course, I want to hit it further.

 

For the past 10 years I have played with a little draw. 3 years ago I bought a K15 driver. That thing is like a machine pumping water. It never goes right and it doesn't hook provided my aging body remembers to make a turn. But, I seem to get only what I carry with little roll out even on fairly firm fairways.

 

So, here's the rub, I bought a Fly Z with the stock regular Matrix VLCT SP shaft. It came on Tuesday and on Wednesday we went to the range. There was a fairly strong left to right wind and over 30 or 40 balls I hit 2 or 3 big slices but the rest of the bucket seemed under control. The carry was as good as I might expect but it did seem to run out for 20 or 25 yards.

 

I was excited enough to put it in the bag yesterday for a visit to Rosemount GC in Blairgowrie (which must be one of the top 5 inland tracks in Scotland). It was a disaster! I spent the day hunting down the right and lost 2 balls.

 

Today, I reverted to the K15. Played in a two club wind and missed only one fairway Not a fade in sight let alone a slice.

 

So here is my dillema. I want to like the Cobra- (I play, love and consistently draw amp cell fairway woods) - and I'm sure it would give me a few yards if i could straighten it out.

.

Might a change of shaft help me get it under control - perhaps something heavier because it certainly feels to light?

 

Please don't tell me to get fitted because that's not easily achieved in these parts. Nor do I want to get get lessons. I just want to know if it's worth trying a change of shaft (at no huge cost) before I sell the thing.

I purchased a flyz with a stiff Matrix VLCT Shaft. I was hooking it with the stock shaft. I decided to try a shaft I was using in another driver that fit me well, (serrano stiff) and have the flyz loft set to 9*. The club is now a bomber for me, go straight and long. Similar age to you and ss of about 92-95. 7i -150.

I have a cobra bio cell+ driver too. I find the flyz more forgiving. Both fantastic drivers.

[DGA3]

Scratch72 - the quote function does not work for me (something to do with either my Mac or Safari), but you wondered how my new Ping G compared to my old Fly-Z.

 

At first, I did not like the Ping, but that was before I discovered their Pro 65 shaft upgrade. It made all the difference.

 

Now I can stand on a drive some more and not have to worry about it going right (like the Fly-Z used to do).

 

I do think that the Fly-Z head is great. With a different shaft, I'll bet that it would be just as good as my new Ping.

[halliedog]

I thought WRXers always fought hooks, due to the aggressive swings and "tight little draws" :)

[CBJ]

I have the same problem w/ the Fly Z+ driver w/ stiff matrix white tie shaft, everything goes right

 

I hardly ever hit anything right